Baguette Gazette: Things I'm loving + December vibes
A hilarious/heartbreaking memoir, Target skincare + more 🗞️
Hi friends! Welcome to the latest “Baguette Gazette”. (If you’re new here, this is a monthly catchup where I share recommendations, personal updates, and what’s going on behind the recipes at TNB HQ.)
The trailer for A Real Pain didn’t leave me with the highest of expectations, but I’m so glad we made it to the theater anyway. Two American-born cousins at different life stages - one’s employed, married, and with a kid, the other a bit chaotic and floundering (played by Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, respectively) - head on a group tour to Poland to reconnect with their family’s Jewish roots. While packed with laugh-out-loud moments, the movie explores the different ways we all deal with our pain. (I definitely needed a few Kleenex by the end.)
I’ve written about my acne journey before, and after drastically paring down the amount of products I used, I’m pretty sure my skin is in the best shape it’s ever been. Nevertheless, I still struggle with the occasional pimple, and this Naturium liquid exfoliant is a godsend for those times. It removes dead skin cells [what feels like immediately], encourages cell turnover, and leaves you with the smoothest, glowiest skin. It says you can use it daily (pretty sure that would make my face fall off…), but I use it only weekly and as a spot treatment when needed.
Hands-down, one of the best books I’ve read all year - maybe even ever? Shalom Auslander - a former Orthodox Jew - brings David Sedaris-level humor to topics like religion, depression, and substance abuse in this dark but ultimately uplifting memoir. 10/10 recommend.
Hello friends,
I hope you had a delicious and gratitude-filled holiday weekend. Rene and I had a cozy Thanksgiving with our immediate families, which we thankfully didn’t have to travel far for (just to another borough). As for the past few days, I’ve been mostly relaxing, seeing friends, eating leftovers, and watching old favorite movies (Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Midnight Cowboy, to be specific).
December 1 means we are officially in my favorite time of year. Not only do I live for a holiday party, but it is also my birthday month (shout-out to my fellow Sagittariuses!), and my wedding anniversary is on the horizon, too; well technically it is next month, but I’m already excited to celebrate.
Another reason I love December is because it is time for me to take stock of the past year of running The New Baguette, see how it measured up to the goals I set, and make plans for the following year. 2024 has been a big year of learning and growth, and one thing I’m thrilled to report is that my website has finally become my main source of income after many years of dedication, and frankly, trial-and-error.
I’m beyond grateful for my email community especially, since you are the main people I think about when developing new ideas. Thank you so much for being here!
As usual, see you Tuesday with a brand new recipe ❤️
P.S. In case you missed any of November’s recipes…